Feeling Thankful

     I have a pretty great job. I get paid to play piano! I mean, I feel so lucky to be doing something I love, every single day. Also, my coworkers are great, so going to work is easy. It's a joy. But, in these last days of the school year, I start to grow a bit weary of the everyday grind. I get tired of the kids. There comes a point when it's just time for a break and I start to countdown the days until summer. It's 6, by the way!!
     So last night was our final choir concert of the school year. It's a fun one. However, preparing for it is somewhat exhausting. I was feeling a bit tired and grumpy yesterday. I was just ready to get the day over with.
     After the concert, a parent came up to me and handed me a gift bag. She was thanking me for helping her son with his college audition. She was so appreciative for the time I had spent and said that they "owed" me. I said it was nothing, that's what I do! She started to explain that she was giving me some pottery she had made. As we talked, her face lit up as she told me of her dream of one day having a pottery studio. I, being a crafty person, encouraged her to go for it!
     Later, when I opened the gift and read the thank you note, I saw this beautiful piece of pottery. I started to cry! To be given a handmade gift like that, it touched my heart. From the brief chat I had with her, I knew she was giving me a part of her heart, her creativity, her passion. That's pretty amazing to me. I hope she gets her studio some day soon.
     Her thoughtful thank you made my day! It also made me feel so grateful that I am able to make music everyday and maybe help someone else along the way.
     Happy Day to You!

Sunny Monday

     Look who has returned to my backyard! I'm so excited to see Mr. Wren again. He's been in and out of the birdhouse all afternoon. I hope he stays because his little song makes me so happy.
     Gary and I took our supper to the park tonight to enjoy some sun and fresh air. I snapped some pics of pretty weeds. After that, we stopped for ice cream. Judging from all the other people at the Dairy Queen, it was definitely an ice cream kinda night!
     It's hard to tell if spring is here to stay, but one things for certain, I'm so ready for more days like today!

     I found this cross stitch picture at the antique store last week. The back says, "1976 Love Always, Mother". Love that. I would have been around 2 years old when it was made! The color scheme is very 70's but I like it. I hung it on my wall right away (which never happens, so yay me!) Looking at it through the week has been a good reminder to take a breath and find a little peace. We're in the final push to the end of the school year, so life's busy. It's a good busy though, there's some fun mixed in!
     Hope life's good where you are.
     Here's to a peaceful weekend!

Out Came the Sun....

      ...and dried up all the rain! It amazes me what one warm day can do. These are the first bloomers in the yard and I am so happy! Not only are some flowers blooming, the grass is getting tall. This weekend, I will probably break out the mower for the first time and work on cleaning off the flower beds. I can't wait!
     Happy Friday!
    

     Sometimes I feel the need to wander around the antique store and look at old stuff. I don't know why, but yesterday I really felt like I should go. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, I just enjoyed walking the store. I did buy a couple items that I will show later.
     For now, here are some photos of things I thought were interesting. I used my phone to take photos, which I'm still getting used to!
     Have a great Wednesday!

     Another trip to the amusement park in the history books. Even though it was sooo cold, we had a fun time. I rode the train, choo chooo!
     I haven't had anything crafty going lately. The thought of a long bus ride with nothing to keep me busy makes me crazy, so I threw in a pattern for a washcloth. I probably knit half of it before I started to feel car sick. Ugh.
     I'm still waiting for spring to happen. Yesterday was warm and breezy. This morning we are having a thunderstorm. Tonight we might get snow. Strange weather.
      Hope you have a happy Monday!

TGIF and Some Signs of Spring

     Happy Friday! Looks like we made it to the end of the week.
     Tomorrow I'm headed to the amusement park with our choir for the annual choir trip. No matter how much the kids try to convince me, there will be no terrifying rollercoaster rides for this girl! I'm very content to ride the train, thank you very much. Hopefully we will get a sunny day that isn't too chilly.
     So, I've started using Instagram. Taking pics with my phone and sharing them has been a fun challenge for me! I've been working on my first photo a day project. Here are a few of my favorite springy photos! You can see more of my Instagram photos under my user name, jepurjuniper.
     Do you use Instagram?